Mini reviews of old movies, mostly VHS tapes purchased by Eli Schuster in Goodwill, Value Village and Salvation Army stores across Toronto. Think of this site as a follow-up to http://www.minireviewsminibooks.blogspot.com/

Pages

Thursday, June 21, 2012

The Big Sleep (1946)

Bogart Film Fest
Movie #1 (Shamus re-created a scene
from The Big Sleep, and that film was
obviously inspired by the 1946 classic, so I figured I would commence a
long-planned tribute to Humphrey Bogart. Please click the link to read my
review of the 1978 remake, featuring Robert Mitchum as a much older Philip
Marlowe).

What Did I Learn?:
1) Splashing a bit of cold water on your face is just what you need to quickly
recover from a savage beating delivered by a couple of hired goons. 2) If
somebody remarks that you’re not very tall, the proper response is: “well, I
try to be.”

Really?: 1) Um,
who pushed the chauffeur off the pier? Believe it or not, Raymond Chandler –
the guy who wrote the novel upon which this movie is based – was asked that
very question and even he didn’t know! 2) Marlowe says he’s been to college,
but he confuses Argentine with Egyptian, and doesn’t know how to pronounce “ceramics”.

Rating: The plot
of this movie is indeed convoluted, and doesn’t entirely makes sense (see Really?), but The Big Sleep is definitely a classic detective film noir; Bogart
is cool (and funny – the scene of him disguised as a nerdy book collector is
memorable), Bacall is sexy, and the two of them enjoy some undeniable chemistry
together. The Big Sleep is best
enjoyed with your logical left brain turned off, and your right brain keyed to
appreciate its hard-boiled, 1940s style.7.5/10 stars.